ABX discriminationn
in psycholinguistics, a task in which three stimuli are presented in
a trial. A and B are different (for example, the words rampand lamp)
and the subject’s task is to choose which of them is matched by the final
stimulus.
academic discourse n
the language and discourse of academic genres. The study of academic
discourse focuses on the nature, contexts, production and interpretation of
discourse and texts that occur in academic settings.
see also ENGLISH FORACADEMICPURPOSES,GENRE,REGISTER
academic language n
the special registers and genres of language used in the learning of academic
subject matter in formal schooling contexts. Learning academic language is
essential for mainstreamingsecond language learners and for students
studyingEnglish for Academic Purposes.
academic literacy n
the ability to understand and participate in the academic discourse of
academic genres, e.g. in fields such as science, law and literature, including
the ability to produce and understand written and spoken texts as well as
recognizing the social norms and discursive practices of academic com-
munities. The field of English for Academic Purposesseeks to develop
the skills of academic literacy.
academic vocabulary n
the most frequently occurring vocabulary in academic texts. In English a
core academic vocabulary of some 600 words (e.g. words such as evidence,
estimate,feature,impact,method,release) is common to a wide range of
academic fields and accounts for around 10% of the words in any academic
text. Students need to be familiar with this vocabulary if they are to com-
plete academic courses successfully. The teaching of academic vocabulary
is an aspect of English for Academic Purposes. Academic vocabulary is
determined from analysis of a corpus of academic English. Academic
Vocabulary may be compared with Technical Vocabulary, which refers to
words specific to a particular topic, field or discipline.
Academic Word List n
a list of 570 word families which is said to make up the core vocabulary of
much academic writing, based on an analysis of a large corpus of academic
ABX discrimination